Sometimes studies like these are laughable, but nevertheless, worth discussing. Norton’s latest Cybercrime report suggests that people who fall victim to malware are statistically more likely to be mugged in real life. If someone is careless when it comes to online security, could that really reflect how susceptible they are in everyday life?

There are hopes a lot of money didn’t go into the study, although as a statistic, it certainly is interesting. Although technically, anyone could be a victim of a mugging, being alert and cautious can help prevent it in some cases. If you aren’t careful online, it is pretty easy to become a victim of malware too.

Of course, Norton’s report, which you can check out here, is pretty intense, stating that every day there are twice as many cybercrime victims than there are newborn babies. While those numbers are probably technically accurate, what they define as a cybercrime isn’t quite clear. Norton is including virus/malware attacks, not instances where actual theft or damage occurs. Still, malware is dangerous and can certainly lead to more serious issues. The report suggests that 1 out of every 2.27 online consumers, almost half, will experience some sort of cybercrime. More staggering are the dollars lost, which according to the report, top $388 billion dollars collectively lost to cybercrime for the past year.

Proper protection is extremely important, but education plays a big role. Do you and your staff know when you are being attacked? Can you pick out a fake email when you see one? Do you know when you are getting a real virus notification vs a spoof notification? Sometimes, even someone experienced can be tricked by malware. Michell Consulting Group is here to help. If something is ever suspicious, let us know. We can help educate you and your staff to prevent you from letting malware and other threats take over your network, which in the long run can eliminate a lot of expenses and lost time.